Tapestry of the Gods
Volume III
by Michael D. Robbins

Astro-Rayology
in progress

Interpretations of Famous People by Ray, Sign and Life Emphasis
With Explanations of All Astrological and Rayological Elements

Saturn in Libra

Saturn in Libra or Saturn in Relation to Libra

(from Esoteric Astrology)

1. Saturn in Libra in Relation to the Third Manifested Creative Hierarchy:

“Hierarchy #8 (Numbering Down)
Ray: III

Name: Lesser Builders; Conferring Form (TCF 605)
Sign: Libra; Planet—Saturn; Colour—Green
Energy: Jnanashakti; Force of Mind
Comments: Water; Atmic Plane
Hierarchy #5 (Numbering Up)
(EA 34)

2. The Function of the Third Creative Hierarchy:

"Saturn is the ruler of that stupendous Creative Hierarchy which is one of the three major groups of Builders, forming part of the third aspect of divinity; Their goal is the giving of form to the Sons of Mind and thereby offering opportunity for sacrifice and service. A study of the relation of this Hierarchy to that of the human egos, the fourth Creative Hierarchy, will prove most illuminating.” (EA 243)

3. Saturn in Libra in Relation to the First Aspect:

“The first aspect of will or power expresses itself in this sign [Libra] as Law, as legislation, legality, justice.” (EA 244)

4. Saturn in Relation to the Third Ray—the Ray which Libra Transmits Constellationally:

“Saturn—3rd Ray of Intelligence. God the Holy Spirit. He who knows. Mind. Human Consciousness. Instinct to Intellect.” (EA 248)

5. Saturn in Libra—Exaltation, Balance and Choice:

“In this sign, Saturn is exalted for—at the point of balance—opportunity comes and a situation is staged which makes a choice and a determination inevitable. It is a choice which has to be made intelligently and upon the physical plane, in the waking brain consciousness,. It is only now that the full purpose and the work of Saturn for humanity can reached a point of usefulness, for it is only now that humanity has reached a point of general and widespread intelligence which can make any choice a definite conscious act, entailing responsibility.

Prior to the present time, only a few pioneering disciples and a handful of intelligent people could be regarded a freely choosing at the ‘point of balance’ the way that they intend ‘to tip the scales’. Today there are countless numbers and hence the intense activity of Saturn as we enter into the first decan of Aquarius and hence the same activity because humanity itself now stands upon the probationary path. This, Libra governs and controls, therefore the path of choices, of deliberately applied purificatory measures and the turning point before Scorpio, which governs the path of discipleship, can properly play its part.” (EA 249)

Specific Expressions of Saturn in Libra

1. Saturn (in Libra) in Relation to the Physical-Etheric Vehicle:

Congestion and insufficient vitalization may occur in relation to the kidneys intestine, and the area of the lower back in general. The major center involved is the sacral center. Through Saturn, this center can be brought under law, and its use regulated according to the Divine Plan which Saturn represents.

Saturn in this sign is “Lord of the Balance”, and its function is to maintain balance between organ systems and the centers of the etheric body. The third ray is pronounced in this combination; Saturn distributes the third ray, and Libra transmits the third ray constellationally. Thus, the importance of Saturn in Libra for the third of the vehicles of the personality—the etheric physical vehicle, in relation to which it acts as sensitive regulator.

2. Saturn (in Libra) in Relation to the Emotional Vehicle:

In relation to the astral plane, and the astral vehicle of the individual human unit, Saturn in Libra is involved in the symbolical “Battle of Kurukshetra”. There are many kurukshetras, but humanity’s “Kurukshetra” is focused upon the emotional plane, and there the decision between spiritual and material values must be made. This is also true of the individual aspirant, though not of the disciple.

“The astral plane is the battleground of the soul, the place of victory or the place of defeat; it is the kurukshetra, upon which the great choice is made.” (LOS 216-217) “This second battle is the true kurukshetra and is fought out in the astral nature, between the pairs of opposites which are distinctive of our solar system, just as the physical pairs of opposites are distinctive of the past solar system.” (GWP 87)

The battlefield on the emotional plane is important to the man who, beginning to aspire, is on the verge of the Probationary Path:

“Within the life of each individual, a similar conflict wages during this period, ending with the final kurukshetra or battle-ground which earns for the man the right to tread the Probationary Path, and eventually the privilege to stand before the Portal of Initiation.” (TCF 827)

If Saturn in Libra (which, because of its emphasized third ray, facilitates mental polarization) is utilized characteristically, the scales will be tipped towards aspiration and away from material desire. This is, technically, the “reversal of the wheel” and involves Uranus as well.

The mental quality of this combination indicates that the “judicial mind” will be involved in the any determining decision. It is, of course, possible to make a strictly emotional decision (if a significant change in the balance of forces can be called a decision), but this would have more to do with Mars in Libra than with Saturn. Such a decision would be based upon the prevailing inclination and the relative strength of opposing magnetisms, rather than with clear and reasoned thought.

3. Saturn (in Libra) in Relation to the Mental Vehicle:

Saturn in Libra has its strongest effect upon the mental vehicle, with which its dominating third ray places it in numerical affinity. It is a combination emphasizing clear sight, objectivity, careful evaluation and weighing of the opposites, followed by emphasis placed deliberately upon one or the other of those opposites—in short by decision.

“It should be remembered that just as the battle ground (the kurukshetra) for the aspirant or probationer is the astral plane, so the battle ground for the disciple is the mental plane. There is his kurukshetra.” (TWM 376)

An informed decision is more than an directional emphasis based upon feeling. Saturn in Libra is one of the combinations which reveals the consequences of differing courses of action. Under this influence, the mind is able to follow those consequences to a relative conclusion, and to see whether that conclusion accords or not with the accepted system of values. Perhaps, it is what might be called the ‘quality of the terminal image’ which finally determines the decision—after much deliberation, of course.

From another perspective, Saturn in Libra rules what might be called the ‘Laws of Thought’. Under this influence the patterns of abstract thought found in higher manas can influence (via the rainbow bridge) the thinking of the concrete mind. By means of this combination the geometry of the abstract mind impresses itself upon the ‘arithmetic’ of the concrete mind. We learn of these two approaches in the following tabulated points:

“Numerical symbolism...Lower mental. Man used himself to count by. Geometrical symbolism...abstract symbolism, higher mental.” (TCF 1140)

Saturn in Libra relates very much to the first phase of the building of the antahkarana—that process connecting the mental unit with the manasic permanent atom. (Connections to the buddhic and atmic permanent atoms are subsequent phases.)

In the lower quaternary of man, Libra is, in fact, correlated with the mental unit. (EA 302) Its correlation with the abstract mind (“super-mind”) is equally clear. (EA 495) The relationship of Libra to the determining choices upon the mental plane and in relation to the astral plane are clearly described in the following, and in relation to this process, Saturn (the planet of decision) plays a definite role:

“Libra—is related to the mental unit and, as we saw when studying the sign Libra, produces eventually a balance between the pairs of opposites. This is brought about upon the astral plane. It is the attainment of this balance which produces the reversal of the mode of passing around the zodiacal wheel and it takes place when integration has occurred, and the man is focussed upon the mental plane. He can, then, through right use of the mind, discriminate between the pairs of opposites and find the narrow razor-edged path which passes between them and keep his balance upon it.” (EA 495)

4. Saturn (in Libra) in Relation to the Personality as a Whole:

Saturn in Libra places the personality in the “seat of judgment”. The personality stands exactly midway between two possible paths—one returning the human consciousness to the control of form; the other leading that consciousness towards the spiritual dimensions of life.

Early expression of Saturn in Libra may see the still selfish personality attempting to decide between alternatives which exist entirely within the field of form. Such decisions relate more to the horizontal/mundane dimension of life than the vertical/spiritual (though a decision for a qualitatively superior alternative will, necessarily, bring elevation, and thus tend toward soul/spirit).

Later, as the soul begins to exert pressure upon the personality, the choice to be made is increasingly a conscious choice, and concerns an orientation towards contrasting kingdoms of nature—the fourth, or Human Kingdom, and the fifth, or Kingdom of Souls. The entire life may be spent subtly evaluating the consequences of this choice. For a long time the effort may be towards maintaining a just balance between the two, but the disciple cannot forever remain in this “no-man’s land”. Progress demands direction. At last the human being must judge of the relative merits of the two directions, and make a conscious, fate-determining choice.

5. Saturn (in Libra) and the Presentation of Opportunity on the Path of Discipleship:

On the Path of Discipleship, presented difficulty is equivalent to presented opportunity. A number of opportune difficulties can be magnetically attracted by those with this combination.

For instance, the psyche may reveal to the human consciousness those areas of life and those specific relationships in which a karmic debt is due; the one faced with this realization is thereby presented with the challenge of re-paying that debt and returning those various situations and relationships to a point of harmony and equilibrium. Or perhaps, Saturn in Libra will reveal certain injustices in the world, in which the laws of man or higher laws are not being respected. Such revelations may say nothing about karmic debts owed by the individual who notices them, but, rather, will refer to conditions in human society and upon our planet which, ideally, demand redress. If the individual is an advanced aspirant or a disciple, the mere existence of these imbalances will call for corrective action which he may not refuse.

Another type of presented opportunity is central to the entire Libran process. Let us call it the ‘continuous opportunity to decide’. The Libran individual constantly stands at the center between opposing forces. Which way to go is never a foregone conclusion. Always there is the strain of evaluation followed by the necessity for decision. This is an ongoing, presented difficulty, and, thus, an ongoing, presented opportunity.

Every choice brings one nearer of farther from the Kingdom of the Soul. In a way, all disciples are faced with this process, from moment to moment. For the Saturn in Libra individual, however, the process of one of which he is acutely conscious—hence the strain, and the necessity to live at a highly intelligent and observant point of tension.

6. Saturn (in Libra) and Choices to be Made and Destruction to be Endured in order to Promote a Freer Expression of the Soul:

The choices to be made are between pairs of opposites—one member of the pair having a higher value, but requiring sacrifice if chosen. In this process, the one who chooses is forever facing himself, discovering his own motives, and struggling with the issue of greater or lesser values.

In the matter of Saturn’s power as a beneficent destroyer bringing increasing freedom, one destruction to be endured is the destruction of fear, because so often it is precisely fear which prevents making the correct choice. One may, indeed, know which of two alternatives is more valuable, but the more valuable alternative is often more costly—thus the hesitation. Saturn in Libra can be so clear, however, it its elucidation of future consequences as to make the correct choice virtually inevitable, even though temporary pain and sacrifice will have to be endured.

Another type of destruction has to do with the quality of relationship. Are one’s relationships purposeful? Do they serve the Divine Plan? Do they express the Laws of the Soul? A important question arises: “Are my relationships personal, serving personal desire; or are they more impersonal, serving the soul. In short, are my relationships personally based, or are they soul relationships? How much of dispassion and detachment are required to decide this issue in the light of soul values! The destruction to be endured, is of relationships which do not conform (Saturn) to the Law of Polar Union (under Libra)—this Law governing the relationship of souls to each other (even though, ultimately, there is but one Oversoul).

Yet another type of destruction has to do with tendencies toward lawlessness within oneself (or later, within society). If one is not obeying the Laws of the Soul, then those behaviors which are not in compliance with those laws have to be destroyed. A world server in the field of human justice will have to apply the destroying energy to a wider area than the personal.

7. As “the sacred planets endeavour to fuse the personality and make it the instrument of the soul and the non-sacred planets influence more specifically the form nature”, how does Saturn, a sacred planet, fuse the personality and make it a responsible instrument of the soul in this particular sign? How does it enforce the law(s) of the soul, and assist in the fulfillment of the Purpose, Plan and Dharma conceived by the soul?:

A personality can be properly integrated and fused when all its aspects are in correct balance with each other. Saturn in Libra is the combination most associated with correct balance. Each vehicle of the personality has appropriate functions and spheres of influence; one vehicle should not usurp the function of another, or call for so much attention that the other vehicles have no time or energy for expression. Saturn in Libra regulates all this, preserving a dynamic equilibrium between the aspects of the threefold lower man.

The seven Laws of the Soul are, essentially, laws of right relationship. Libra the seventh sign (with Capricorn) specifically relates to law. Under this influence, the disciple understands the value of these laws, decides to conform to them, and legislates his own conformity—he follows his own rules for obeying spiritual rules. Thus, the disciple measures himself against the standard which the soul has set, and seeks to be spiritually law abiding.

With Saturn in Libra the issue so often is one of fairness and justice. What appears to be fair and just, however, will be determined by the individual’s degree of identification as a personality or as a soul. Saturn in Libra has a reputation for strict impartiality, but sooner or later, the scales begin tipping predominantly in one direction or the other. We then say, “I am leaning towards” such and such a decision. If the personality is receiving the emphasis, personality values will “weigh more heavily” in the pans; if the scales are tippling towards soul and its world, then it will seem most just for soul values to emerge. The Dharma of Libra, after “due deliberation” and wise choice, is to walk the “razor edged path”—not neglecting the reasonable demands of the form, but definitely moving towards a condition in which soul-values are dominant. Perpetual oscillation neither desirable nor progressive.

8. Miscellaneous Meanings of Saturn Libra:

a. In relation to Saturn and Libra, all relationships are based upon the law.

b. Saturn in Libra represents the “marriage contract” between personality and soul.

c. Saturn in Libra represents the “Dweller on the Threshold”. The process by which a man faces himself repeatedly, with ever greater objectivity, enables him, at length, to face the Dweller in full waking consciousness and to realize that, in so doing, he is facing himself.

Individuals with Saturn in Libra

Hans Christian Andersen
Hector Berlioz
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Oliver Cromwell
Benjamin Disraeli
Christian Doppler
Anthony Van Dyck
Henry Ford
Judy Garland
Hermann Goering
Francisco Goya
Martha Graham
Charlton Heston
Alduous Huxley
Henry Kissinger
Edward Bulwer Lytton
Mongkut
Norman Rockwell
Girolamo Savonarola
Konstantin Stanislavsky
Charles P. Steinmetz
Richard Strauss
J. R. R. Tolkien
Mao Tse-Tung
Leonardo da Vinci
Swami Vivekananda
William Butler Yeats
Paramahansa Yogananda